6 Typical Nicaraguan Dishes We Can’t Get Enough Of

#1 VIGORÓN

This traditional Nicaraguan dish consists of a cabbage salad known as curtido (chopped cabbage, tomatoes, onions, and chili pepper marinated in vinegar and salt), boiled yuca, and chicharrones (fried pork with skin or with meat) wrapped in banana leaf. This dish is often eaten without silverware. At C$40 ($1.48 USD) vigorón makes for a tasty, filling and affordable lunch.

– Vigorón: Baseball Stadium, Rivas, Nicaragua

#2TOSTONES CON QUESO

An appetizer that you’ll find on the menu at almost every Nicaraguan restaurant is Tostones con Queso. This simple snack of fried plantains topped with a cube of deep fried cheese is often served with chilero (a mixture of pickled onions, carrots and hot peppers). This dish is enjoyed by Nicaraguans, tourists and travellers alike.

#3 JALAPEÑO CHICKEN

For Gordon Nicaraguan salsa de jalapeño is like Frank’s® RedHot®. He could “Put that s^#t on everything”. But his favorite way to have it? On chicken! Sautéed jalapeño and onions are combined with sour cream and a little bit of milk to make this tasty sauce which is typically served on chicken, but is equally as good on steak or fish.

#4CEVICHE

Ceviche spooned onto crackers with a dash of chile is one of my favorite Nicaraguan appetizers. It’s a nice light tasty snack that is great for sharing. If you enjoy fish (cooked or raw) and have yet to sample ceviche I highly recommend you give it a try.

#5TAJADAS DE POLLO

Barbecued chicken with thinly sliced fried green plantains (tajadas), gallo pinto and cabbage salad (curtido) is a staple at most every Nicaraguan fritanga and happens to be another favorite typical dish of ours. We enjoyed this particular version of Tajadas de Pollo at Chiverias which is located in San Juan del Sur on the corner near Zen Yogaand the church square.

– Tajadas de Pollo: Chiverias, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

#6 PESCADO FRITO ENTERO

Prior to moving to Nicaragua I can’t ever recall a time when I ate whole fried fish, but now it’s my absolute favorite way to have it. This dish is almost always served with salad, rice and tostoñes and a garlic or tomato salsa. At C$180 ($6.74 USD) for fresh fish and three sides it doesn’t get much better than this.

Why no mention the Saturday night special, nachatamals? When we lived in Granada, vigoron always came with these little, very hot peppers that looked like capers. We were constantly reminding guests that they were not capers and could be very hot, Cannot remember their name. Can anyone help me out?

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Hey there! We're Gordon and Elisha -- a semi-retired Canadian couple who is living and loving life in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Together we created this blog so we could share our Nicaraguan expat experience with you.